Men’s Basketball Profile: Q & A with City College shooting guard Ivan Dorsey

City College Rams Sophomore Ivan Dorsey #3, goes in for a shot in a game against Foothill College, that the Rams won 73-56, on January 13, 2012 at the CCSF Wellness Center. Dorsey finished with 17 points. (BETH LABERGE/THE GUARDSMAN)

His coach calls him the best shooter in the state. Ivan Dorsey just considers himself very fortunate.

Dorsey has had a long journey to get to where he is today, and that journey has enabled him to develop one of the smoothest shooting strokes in the conference. Dorsey is averaging 12.2 points per game this season while shooting over 50 percent from the field and over 47 percent from three-point range.

The Guardsman was able to catch up with him and find out about the background that turned him into such a great shooter.

Q: What neighborhood did you grow up in? How did you learn how to play basketball?

A: Well, I grew up around the City College area, like 5 minutes away from school. My dad played pro football, so he was the one that really got me into sports. Because of that I developed a love for basketball. He always had a love for basketball, but he never really pursued it, so he taught me and my brother the basic fundamentals. My brother and I were just in competition all the time and my motivation was just to beat him. That’s what just pushed me to work on my game.

Q: What high school did you go to? How many points per game did you average and what was the most points you scored at any level?

A: I went to Archbishop Riordan High School right across the street from City College. It was a Catholic school. We played in the WCL West Catholic Athlete League. The highest amount of points I’ve ever scored in a game was 38 and I left with the all-time best three-point percentage and most three-pointers made in school history.

Q: Who is your favorite NBA player?

A: Man, that’s a tough one. I might go with two guys. If I had to choose one player I would have to go with Gilbert Arenas, but Kobe [Bryant] and Gilbert are my two favorite players.

Q: If you could get drafted today, what team do you think would best suit your style of play? Or what team would you want to go to?

A: I would just be so grateful to get the opportunity. I would take anywhere.

Q: Do you have a favorite team?

A: Favorite team? I don’t want to be jumping on the bandwagon, but I would have to run with the LA Lakers.

Q: Have you ever had any shooting competitions with anybody in practice or anything like that? How many three-pointer have you made in a row?

A: Me and one of my coaches, there’s this drill that he made up that in 20 minutes you shoot as many three’s as you can. You get your own rebound then you spot up and shoot as many as you can. I think I have the record right now for 126 makes. The most three’s I’ve hit in a row is around 30.

Q: When did you start falling in love with the game?

A: It was when Kobe and Tracy McGrady first came into the league. I used to go out in the backyard and lower the rim and try to do the same dunks they would (laughing).

Q: Have you received any offers from any schools to transfer to?

A: Nothing yet. It’s still pretty early in the season. I’m going to wait it out and hopefully we will get to the state championship. That’s where we would get a lot of looks.

Q: If basketball for some reason didn’t work out, is there anything else you would want to do?

A: I think I would get into law enforcement like my dad. He’s a lieutenant with the Sheriff’s Department of San Francisco and I think I would try to follow in his footsteps.